Whether we want to admit it or not. It is just a part of life. They may be small or big, but they are usually present at times. And they seem to pop up mostly when we are really on to something big. They can be looked at as of they are tests, how bad do we really want this? Whether test or just life; it is how we respond/react to these times in our lives that matters.

React or Respond?

Are you a reactor, or a responder? It matters. I can remember when I most definitely was a reactor! And it showed all over my face and in my body language. It was very difficult for me to hide my feelings in the midst of situations. And truth is, while I am mostly a responder these days, there are times I still have a hard time controlling my body language. I am working on that!
If we learn to be a responder our life is easier, even when we are showing, by our face, that we would love to react in a negative way to the situation, the fact that we don’t makes the situation better, for us and for the other people involved. Learning this self-control is huge! It is a great change in your life and will affect you for sure but it will affect those around you too! And it helps to get us through the defeats in our life if we learn this lesson now!

Start now, and know there will be slips!

Where to start to make t his change?

All you can do is start now. Dive in! If you want it you will have it! If you truly believe being a responder is the better way to live your life, then just jump in. I know if you want it bad enough you will make it happen. Yes there will be times, especially in the beginning, when you will fail, that is okay! Remember defeats yes but not defeated! All we can do is do our best. And knowing that we will always have another chance to get it right is motivation enough to keep trying! So this is what you do…… starting now when you feel yourself reacting in a negative or judgmental way to a situation, and you don’t want to, then stop and take a breath, take a step away. Yes it really is that simple. Here is the thing- you will have a lot of times, more often than not, in the beginning, when you remember after the fact to be a responder and not a reactor. That is okay! It is growth!

You are going to have many times, even after you learn to take a breath and not react, when you will have to remind your face what the plan is!! But that is okay! Keep at it!

You are taking on a very noble cause!

Making this change in your life will indeed help your life to be easier. But the affect it will have on others is probably so profound that I think you are a hero for doing this! Taking on the challenge to make this change in your life, something that will have an impact on the lives of others……you are amazing! Considerate! I love that you care enough to want to do this.

Don’t give up!

Just keep moving forward and one day you will be on the other side, seeing the fruits of your labors! Good for you! And remember…..tomorrow is another day full of opportunities to do better! To become a responder not a reactor and to make sure your defeats

Like this:

Note: I wrote this article last summer! I think it was a good one and definitely worth a repeat! Hope you enjoy! ❤

Sometimes the lessons we need to learn in life have to be painful- it is like we will not get it through our thick heads (MY THICK HEAD) unless it causes some sort of pain, anger, frustration! Recognizing that we are in the midst of a lesson sure makes it a lot easier to get through! Of course on the flip side of that is- if we do not recognize it as a lesson, well that makes the pain all the worse!!

In the past I have had a hard time with validation from loved ones; friends and family alike. And I know a lot of you out there experience this same type of problem. It took me years to let it all go and realize I do not need validation from anyone but God. And for you who are non-believers, you still only need validation for YOU by YOU…right? At least this is the way I see it- because unless we see it this way we are always going to be expecting things we will not necessarily get!

Not all of us are fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who actually can get out of their own little bubble long enough to truly encourage, support, or even notice what is happening in our lives. AND WE CAN’T LET THAT DEFINE US! Because IF WE DO then WE are defined by frustration, anger, sadness, feeling devalued, feelings of “not being enough”…..all of that! That type of stinkinthinking will get us nowhere in life!
Our feelings may be justified, but we need to let it go anyway! It is not serving US and it certainly will not allow us to serve anyone else!
So let it go my dears! Let it go!
It is funny….my theme words for 2015 (vision board) are Courage and Faith….seems it should have had a theme phrase… I seem to be saying “let it go” a lot this year!!

2015 the year of “letting it ALL go!” That which does not serve ME, or HIM, will not serve others! And that is my goal! To serve others……